Ground marker device

ABSTRACT

A marker device having a casing which is inserted into a hole drilled into the surface of the ground. Hinged arms are unfolded and extended through slots in the casing to secure the device against withdrawal from the hole. A suitably colored plug may be fitted into the upper end of the casing to be visible above the surface. A number of such devices placed in a row at suitably spaced intervals define a permanently marked line appearing either at or near the level of the ground surface or projecting thereabove. The device is readily converted for use as an anchoring means for a post or the like.

United States Patent Coupar Jan. 9, 1973 54 GROUND MARKER DEVICE1,907,811 5/1933 Hollos ..52/162 x Inventor: Robert B. p 444.7 Narvaez2,588,712 3/1952 Ferris ..52/l6l Crescent, Victoria, British ColumbiaCanada Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozl Attorney-Fetherstonhaugh & Co.[22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1971 21 App]. No.1 111,522

[57] ABSTRACT A marker device having a casing which is inserted into ahole drilled into the surface of the ground. Hinged [52] "116/114 ?garms are unfolded and extended through slots in the 51 l t G01 d 21m)casing to secure the device against withdrawal from i "iig'i'i'gf ii' g159 160 the hole. A suitably colored plug may be fitted into I 1 q g 1the upper end of the casing to be visible above the surface. A number ofsuch devices placed in a row at suitably spaced intervals define apermanently marked line appearing either at or near the level of theground [56] References cued surface or projecting thereabove. The deviceis readily UNITED STATES PATENTS tctclmy tirted for use as an anchoringmeans for a post or e 1 e. 828,509 8/1906 Rounsburg ..52/16O 1,805,0845/1931 Gianini ..52/l61 5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I I l l l l l l\ 52HI I 1 1 ll 4 44 k 42 42 l l 44 v2 w 45 f 43 I5 38 2 I 1 PAIENTEDJM9191s SHEET 1 [1F 2 luvsm'oR ROBERT B. COUPAR A1 TORNEYS INVNTOR ROBERTB. COUPAR SHEET 2 OF 2 PATENTEU JAN 9 I973 AT TORNGYT GROUND MARKERDEVICE My invention relates to an improved means for marking off areasof ground and more particularly for lining playing fields and the like.

Many playing fields in use today are marked out, usually just prior tothe start of a game, by means of lines formed by laying down white limeor a similar powder-like material. Such lines are needed on baseball,football, track and soccer fields as well as on other playing areas todefine boundaries, zones, etc. but, after only a short period of play,they often become barely discernible and this is confusing to theplayers, referees and fans alike.

I have found that this longstanding problem can be solved by providing apermanent field marker which is buried in the ground out of harms way.The device includes a white or colored plug the top of which may beabout level with the surface of the ground. The plug is clearly visiblefrom above and is made of a resilient or non-slip material such asrubber which should not harm anyone coming into contact therewith. Whensuch devices are set into the ground in a rowand at fairly widely spacedintervals they form a line which remains permanently in place and easilyseen even after extended periods of play which may take place, in thecase of football for example, on a muddy field. Another embodiment ofthe invention has a member which projects above ground to 'serve as aboundry marker. Still another embodiment serves as a post anchoringdevice.

In drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a field marker device, in accordancewith the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of locking arms,

FIG. 4 is a similar view of a locking disc,

FIG. 5 is another perspective view showing a marker plug,

FIG. 6 is'a vertical section of another embodiment of the invention, I

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6, and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentarysection of still another embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicatesgenerally a device for marking a surface 12 of a playing field or othersuch areas. To receive the device 10, the field surface 12 has a hole 14formed therein. Preferably, hole 14 is drilled using an auger of thetype employed to bore cup holes in a golf green. Such an auger willprovide a hole 14 of a suitable diameter and depth and having a smoothside wall 15 and a flat bottom wall 16.

The field marker device 10 comprises a cylindrical casing having a sidewall 21 and a bottom wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom wall22 has at least two depending spikes 27 which are suitably spaced aparton the underside of said wall. Circumferentially spaced drain holes 28(FIG. 2), extend completely through the bottom wall 22. The casing 20 isa snug fit in the hole 14 so as to support the side wall 15. The spikes27 are embedded in the bottom wall 16 and this helps to hold theimplanted casing 20 against rotation within the hole 14. Upper edge 30of the casing 20 is spaced a short distance below the field surface 12so as not to form an obstruction. Near edge 30, the casing 20 isprovided with laterally projecting fins 32 which also resist rotation ofthe casing 20 within the hole 14. If it is found necessary to steady thecasing 20 when parts to be later described are fitted therein, asuitably shaped tool (not shown) can be used to grip the fins 32 wherebyto hold the casing against rotation.

Casing 20 is anchored in the hole 14 by means of a pair of arms 38, seeFIGS. 1 and 3. In order to receive the arms 38, the casing 20 isprovided with diametrically opposed and longitudinally extending slots39. These slots 39, which appear on FIG. 1 only, are located just belowthe center of the casing 20. The anchor arms 38 are formed of metalbands only slightly thinner than the thickness of the slots 39 andoverlapping ends 42 of said arms are connected by a hinge pin 43. Theopposite ends of arms 38 are tapered or otherwise sharpened to form tips44 and adjacent these tips, each arm is provided with a notch 45. Thearms 38 are each provided with an opening 46 and these openings registerwith one another when said arms are horizontal as shown in FIG. 1. Arms38 are entered into the casing 20 in folded position and the tips 44 arethreaded through the slots 39 to allow said arms to unfold to ahorizontal position. The notches 45 engage parts of the casing 20 asshown in FIG. 1 and a fairly strong downward pressure must be applied tostraighten the arms which then cannot readily be pushed below thislocked position. In order that the pair of arms 38 may be positivelylocked together in their casing 20 anchoring position, a locking pin 47,see particularly FIG. 3, is inserted through the registering openings46. The tips 44 are embedded in the side wall 15 of the hole to preventwithdrawal or rotation of the casing 20 therein.

The field marker device 10 is provided with an annular locking disc 48,see FIGS. 1 and 4. Disc 48 has a central opening 49 and a threaded sideedge 50 and is provided with circumferentially spaced openings 51 whichpreferably extend completely through the disc.

Casing 20 has an internal thread 52 near the upper edge 30 and thelocking disc 48 is entered into the easing along this thread. Disc 48 isstarted on the thread 52 and an appropriately shaped tool (not shown) isinserted into the openings 51 to advance said disc to the position shownin FIG. 1.

The upper end of casing 20 is fitted with a marker plug 56 see FIGS. 1and 5. Plug 56 is a' threaded cylindrical block of non-skid rubber whichis white or brightly colored to provide a marked contrast with the greensurface 12 of the playing field. The resilient plug 56 may benon-rotatably mounted within a threaded sleeve 57 and said plug isprovided with circumferentially spaced openings 58 which preferablyextend completely through the plug. These openings 58, of course, areintended to accept the same tool used to turn the locking disc 48. Themarker plug 56 is threaded into the casing 20 and is tightened againstthe locking disc 48. Since disc 48 is frictionally engaged by the plug56, said disc then acts in the same manner as a lock nut to preventrotation of the marker plug. Plug 56 is positioned so that its top faceis about level with the playing field surface 12 and is clearly visibleto one side as well as from above.

When a number of the field marker devices -are implanted in a row asdescribed, they form a line on the playing field. Preferably, thedevices 10 are placed about 3 feet apart which has been found quitesuitable and the number of devices required is then kept to a desirableminimum. These white or colored ground level marker plugs 56 providesufficient contrast with the turf to be readily discernable and therubber material used for the plugs will withstand a great deal of wearand are unlikely to cause a slip if stepped on. The soil around thedevice 10 may settle or heave up and this could cause the marker plug 56to sink below, or project too far above, the playing field surface.However, it is a simple matter to remedy this by adjusting the lockingdisc 48 and the plug 56 vertically in the casing so that the top surfaceof the plug is again at the required level.

Should it ever be necessary to remove the device 10 from the ground, itis a simple matter to remove the plug 56, locking disc 48, and then thepair of arms 38. Disc 48 is rethreaded back into the casing 20 whereuponthe central opening 49 provides means for entering the hooked end of asuitable tool (not shown) by which the casing can be pulled out of thehole 14.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the numeral 70indicates generally a field marker device which has a cylindrical casing71. This casing 71 is provided with a side wall 72 and a bottom wall 73.Extending across the underside of wall 73 is a thin rib 74 which isV-shaped in cross-section. Alternatively, spikes such as are used on thedevice 10 may be used in place of the rib 74. Rib 74 bites into thebottom wall 16 and helps to hold the casing 71 against rotation withinthe hole 14.

Casing wall '7 2 has an opposing pair of slots 80 which are disposedbelow center. These longitudinally extending slots 80 receive a pair ofthe previously described anchor arms 38 which are locked in thehorizontal position by means of a locking pin 47. The notches 45 bearagainst the inner surface of the casing 71 to wedge the arms in ahorizontal position and the sharpened tips 44 of said arms are embeddedin the side wall 15 of the hole as before.

The casing-71 may be anchored by a second pair of anchor arms 38 whichare projected through diametrically opposed slots 84 formed in thecasing wall 72- above the slots 80 and circumferentially spacedtherefrom. Thus, the two pairs of arms 38 extend across the casing 71 atright angles to one another and provide a particularly firm anchor forthe device.

Casing 71 has an upper edge 86 and, alongside this edge, there arelaterally projecting fins 87. These diametrically opposed fins 87 biteinto the side wall 15 of the hole to assist in holding the casing 71against rotation.

The modified field marker device 70 is shown fitted with an above groundmarker plug 90. As shown in FIG. 6, the appropriately colored markerplug 90 is a cylindrical block of plastic, metal, wood or rubber whichmay be several feet long. Near the lower end of the plug 90, there isformed a circular flange 93. Casing 71 has an internal thread 95 toreceive a locking disc 48. The plug 90 sits on this disc 48 with thelower end of the plug projecting into the opening 49 and the flange 93engaging the top surface of said disc. Another locking disc 48 isslipped over the upper end of plug and is advanced along threads 95 toclamp the flange 93 between the two discs and thus firmly hold the plug90 in position.

The device 70 can be used, for example, to mark the out-of-bounds areaof a golf course. Also, a device 70 will serve equally as well topermanently locate property lines. The elongated marker plug 90 projectssome distance above the surface of the ground and thus forms anobstruction but, in any location where this is found undesirable, ashort plug 56'can readily be sub-* stituted for the relatively long plug90.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the numeral 101'indicates a device used as an anchor for post 102 or the like. Thedevice 101 is constructed substantially in the same manner as the device70 although, desirably, it is provided with a casing 104 having largerand more numerous fins 105 so as to be even more firmly held againstrotational movement. Anchor arms 38 secure the casing 104 within thehole 14 as before but the locking discs 48 shown in FIG. 6 are notrequired for the FIG. 8 installation. Casing 104 hasan internal thread107 near the upper end thereof to receive a threaded base plug 108having a centrally disposed eye 110. A pin 112 is used to secure the eyeto forked end 114 of a brace 115. The diagonally disposed brace 115 issuitably secured as at 116 to a post 1 18 which projects above theplaying field 12. This post 118 may be one of the goal posts for exampleor it can be a sign post or the like which is required to be erectednear a playing field or elsewhere.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent I have provided a ground markerdevice which is suitable for use in marking a variety of areas. By usingmarker plugs of different colors, interesting designs can be formed onfootball fields behind the goal line and the devices can be arranged inthe form of lettering to spell out team names and the like. Since someplaying fields are used for more than one sport and generally it isnecessary to change the field markings to suit a particular sport, theground level marker plug 56 may be white or brightly colored at one endand colored green at the opposite end. Thus, if the need be, a line orpart of a line defined by the white or colored ends of the plugs 56could be obliterated by inverting some of the plugs in their casings sothat the green ends would blend in with the green turf.

-I claim:

1. A ground marker device comprising a casing insertable into a holeformed in the surface of the ground, said casing having an internallythreaded upper end and diametrically opposed slots intermediate thelength thereof, a pair of anchor arms hingedly connected together at oneend and having sharpened tips at their opposite ends, said anchor armsextending across the casing with the tips thereof projecting through theslots and being embedded in a side wall of the hole, a locking discthreadedly received within the upper end of the casing, and a markerplug threadedly fitted into the upper end of the casing to frictionallyengage and be releasably held against rotation by the locking disc.

2. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, in which said anchorarms each have a notch adjacent the tip thereof, said notches engagingcasing parts whereby resistance is offered to movement of the anchorarms below a casing anchoring position.

3. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, and

including a locking pin for securing the pair of arms in extendedposition.

4. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, in which said markerplug has a laterally projecting flange near the lower 'end thereof, saidlocking ,disc having a central opening to receive the lower end of themarker plug, and a second similar locking disc threadedlyfitted into theupper end of the casing to encircle the marker

1. A ground marker device comprising a casing insertable into a holeformed in the surface of the ground, said casing having an internallythreaded upper end and diametrically opposed slots intermediate thelength thereof, a pair of anchor arms hingedly connected together at oneend and having sharpened tips at their opposite ends, said anchor armsextending across the casing with the tips thereof projecting through theslots and being embedded in a side wall of the hole, a locking discthreadedly received within the upper end of the casing, and a markerplug threadedly fitted into the upper end of the casing to frictionallyengage and be releasably held against rotation by the locking disc.
 2. Aground marker device as claimed in claim 1, in which said anchor armseach have a notch adjacent the tip thereof, said notches engaging casingparts whereby resistance is offered to movement of the anchor arms belowa casing anchoring position.
 3. A ground marker device as claimed inclaim 1, and including a locking pin for securing the pair of arms inextended position.
 4. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said marker plug has a laterally projecting flange near the lowerend thereof, said locking disc having a central opening to receive thelower end of the marker plug, and a second similar locking discthreadedly fitted into the upper end of the casing to encircle themarker plug and clamp the laterally projecting flange against the firstmentioned locking disc.
 5. A ground marker device as claimed in claim 3,in which said pair of anchor arms having overlapping ends provided withregistering openings, and said locking pin is projected through theregistering openings to lock the pair of arms in extended position.